Provincial Government

NDP candidate Ravi Parmar embraces former premier and Langford-Juan de Fuca MLA John Horgan Saturday, June 24 at his campaign office after celebrating victory in the byelection for Langford-Juan de Fuca. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

B.C. Premier rules out early election – again – after NDP wins 2 by-elections

BC United drops below 10 per cent in former premier John Horgan’s riding

NDP candidate Ravi Parmar embraces former premier and Langford-Juan de Fuca MLA John Horgan Saturday, June 24 at his campaign office after celebrating victory in the byelection for Langford-Juan de Fuca. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Pav and Gurpreet Gill, right, were busy selling fresh eggs and goods from their aunt, Harpreet Nagra at the White Rock Farmers Market May 14, 2023. The White Rock Farmers Market has been one of the participating markets in B.C.’s Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon program. (Tricia Weel photo)

B.C.’s farmers’ market coupon program is back for another season

Province says it helped 10,000 households in 2022

Pav and Gurpreet Gill, right, were busy selling fresh eggs and goods from their aunt, Harpreet Nagra at the White Rock Farmers Market May 14, 2023. The White Rock Farmers Market has been one of the participating markets in B.C.’s Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon program. (Tricia Weel photo)
Diabetes drug Ozempic is shown at a pharmacy in Toronto on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. The British Columbia government says there’s been a 99 per cent drop in the number of online Ozempic prescriptions filled by Americans from pharmacies in that province since it introduced regulations to protect the local supply for diabetes patients. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Joe O’Connal

99% drop in Ozempic shipments to U.S. residents after B.C. introduces restrictions

Health Ministry said 30,700 prescriptions for the medication were mailed to the United States from Jan. 1 to April 19

Diabetes drug Ozempic is shown at a pharmacy in Toronto on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. The British Columbia government says there’s been a 99 per cent drop in the number of online Ozempic prescriptions filled by Americans from pharmacies in that province since it introduced regulations to protect the local supply for diabetes patients. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Joe O’Connal
June Francis, B.C.’s Anti-Racism Data Committee chair speaks during the launch of B.C.’s demographic Survey June 14, 2023 at Vancouver’s Chinatown Storytelling Centre. She is joined by committee member Jessica (t’łisala) Guss. (Lauren Collins)

B.C. launches survey to identify systemic racism in government services

Anti-racism committee chair acknowledges data has been used to harm, exclude in the past

June Francis, B.C.’s Anti-Racism Data Committee chair speaks during the launch of B.C.’s demographic Survey June 14, 2023 at Vancouver’s Chinatown Storytelling Centre. She is joined by committee member Jessica (t’łisala) Guss. (Lauren Collins)
The provincial government is now covering opioid agonist treatment designed to help people counter their dependence on heroin, oxycodone and fentanyl among other opioids available through medical service plans.(Photo courtesy of Island Health)

B.C. to cover costs for opioid-use disorder medications becoming 1st province to do so

Change came into effect June 6 using MSP to cover opioid agonist treatment

The provincial government is now covering opioid agonist treatment designed to help people counter their dependence on heroin, oxycodone and fentanyl among other opioids available through medical service plans.(Photo courtesy of Island Health)
British Columbia Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement at the Seaspan Ferries Tilbury Terminal in Delta, B.C., on Thursday, April 27, 2023. British Columbia Premier David Eby says his trade mission to Asia is part of an effort to grow trade and reduce the risks that come with international uncertainties. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C.’s Eby says Asia trade mission aims to reduce risks amid international unease

B.C. exports to mainland China totalled $8.48 billion last year

British Columbia Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement at the Seaspan Ferries Tilbury Terminal in Delta, B.C., on Thursday, April 27, 2023. British Columbia Premier David Eby says his trade mission to Asia is part of an effort to grow trade and reduce the risks that come with international uncertainties. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix pauses while responding to questions during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. Dix announced on Friday $4.5 million in new funding for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. giving $4.5 million to upgrade children’s hospice facility

Health Minister Adrian Dix says the funding will go toward structural repairs

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix pauses while responding to questions during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. Dix announced on Friday $4.5 million in new funding for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth speaks to media during a press conference in the press gallery at Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday February 5, 2018.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. group gets $5.5M to help end violence against Indigenous women, girls

B.C. releases update on its response to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth speaks to media during a press conference in the press gallery at Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday February 5, 2018.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The provincial government announced June 1, 2023 that it’s giving $1.1 million to expand counselling services at Looking Glass Foundation that helps people with eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa is the leading cause of death for young women between the ages of 15 and 24. (Unsplash)

B.C. group gets $1.1M to expand counselling services for people with eating disorders

Looking Glass Foundation offers in-person, online services for people throughout the province

The provincial government announced June 1, 2023 that it’s giving $1.1 million to expand counselling services at Looking Glass Foundation that helps people with eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa is the leading cause of death for young women between the ages of 15 and 24. (Unsplash)
Provincial Environment Minister George Heyman announces $10 million in funding for the BC Parks Foundation outside Goldstream Nature House in Goldstream Provincial Park on June 1. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

B.C. gives $10M to parks foundation to expand programs

Money will fund programming, including park ambassadors

Provincial Environment Minister George Heyman announces $10 million in funding for the BC Parks Foundation outside Goldstream Nature House in Goldstream Provincial Park on June 1. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
More than half of the provinces’ ministers have skipped out on a meeting with the federal government and Indigenous leaders to discuss halting land and water loss in Canada. Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault speaks during the Montreal Climate Summit in Montreal on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Provinces, territories agree to help feds in ‘30 by 30’ goal to halt land, water loss

The Liberal government is leading a biodiversity strategy to protect 30% of Canadian land, water by 2030

More than half of the provinces’ ministers have skipped out on a meeting with the federal government and Indigenous leaders to discuss halting land and water loss in Canada. Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault speaks during the Montreal Climate Summit in Montreal on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
Child and Family Development Minister Mitzi Dean during an announcement on Feb. 2, 2023. Dean was part of an announcement Tuesday (May 30) for the newly named Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment program that was first announced in the 2022 budget (Dillon White file photo)

B.C. to waive education tuition for former youth in care

First announced in 2022 budget, program gets updated name for 2023 youth in care week

Child and Family Development Minister Mitzi Dean during an announcement on Feb. 2, 2023. Dean was part of an announcement Tuesday (May 30) for the newly named Strengthening Abilities and Journeys of Empowerment program that was first announced in the 2022 budget (Dillon White file photo)
E-bikes, here seen at Vernon’s Sun Country Cycle, will be subject to a new provincial rebate program June 1. Some eligible British Columbians could get up to $1,400 off their next e-bike purchase. (Contributed)

New provincial program rings up to $1,400 in rebates for e-bikes

Most British Columbians, however, will only be eligible for $350 rebate

E-bikes, here seen at Vernon’s Sun Country Cycle, will be subject to a new provincial rebate program June 1. Some eligible British Columbians could get up to $1,400 off their next e-bike purchase. (Contributed)
British Columbia Premier David Eby stands behind a height-adjustable podium during an announcement at the Seaspan Ferries Tilbury Terminal in Delta, B.C., on Thursday, April 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘Explodium’: Mechanical podium aims to even B.C.’s political field no matter height

Podium that can change heights perhaps a more practical option for politicians of all heights

British Columbia Premier David Eby stands behind a height-adjustable podium during an announcement at the Seaspan Ferries Tilbury Terminal in Delta, B.C., on Thursday, April 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Premier David Eby called two byelections, one for Vancouver-Mount Pleasand and one for Langford-Juan de Fuca, on Saturday, May 27. 2023. Voters go to the polls June 24. (File Photo)

Byelections called for 2 B.C. ridings

Eby sets date for the Vancouver-Mount Pleasant and Langford-Juan de Fuca byelections

Premier David Eby called two byelections, one for Vancouver-Mount Pleasand and one for Langford-Juan de Fuca, on Saturday, May 27. 2023. Voters go to the polls June 24. (File Photo)
Office towers, condos and apartment buildings are seen in downtown and the west end of Vancouver, on Thursday, January 19, 2023. British Columbia is expanding the tax it created to clamp down on real estate speculation and ensure homes in rental-strapped communities don’t sit empty. A statement from the Ministry of Finance says the Speculation and Vacancy Tax now includes the municipalities of North Cowichan, Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Lions Bay and Squamish. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. extends reach of property tax aimed at turning empty houses into rental homes

Finance Ministry says speculation tax now includes the North Cowichan, Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Lions Bay and Squamish

Office towers, condos and apartment buildings are seen in downtown and the west end of Vancouver, on Thursday, January 19, 2023. British Columbia is expanding the tax it created to clamp down on real estate speculation and ensure homes in rental-strapped communities don’t sit empty. A statement from the Ministry of Finance says the Speculation and Vacancy Tax now includes the municipalities of North Cowichan, Duncan, Ladysmith, Lake Cowichan, Lions Bay and Squamish. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Ferries is using the one-year anniversary of a strong atmospheric river storm which washed out highways connecting Greater Victoria with the rest of Vancouver Island to highlight the role the crew on board the Klitsa played in keeping the community connected on that fateful day. (Courtesy of BC Ferries)

President and CEO of BC Ferries says company ‘deeply sorry’ for Monday’s outage

Outage is ‘crushing’ for the 5,100 people who work at BC Ferries, says Nicolas Jimenez

BC Ferries is using the one-year anniversary of a strong atmospheric river storm which washed out highways connecting Greater Victoria with the rest of Vancouver Island to highlight the role the crew on board the Klitsa played in keeping the community connected on that fateful day. (Courtesy of BC Ferries)
BC United leader Kevin Falcon spoke to the media in Abbotsford on May 17 on a range of topics, including decriminalization and the pressures it’s putting on individual municipalities. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)

NDP needs to protect children’s public places from drug use, says Kevin Falcon

Opposition leader says decriminalization puts too much pressure on individual municipalities

BC United leader Kevin Falcon spoke to the media in Abbotsford on May 17 on a range of topics, including decriminalization and the pressures it’s putting on individual municipalities. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)
FILE – BC Cancer Kelowna has technology that’s the first of its kind in Canada, an adaptive radiation machine that makes the planning process faster. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

B.C. to send cancer patients to Bellingham for radiation treatment to curb wait times

Breast cancer and prostate cancer patients to be the first to be offered treatment across the border

FILE – BC Cancer Kelowna has technology that’s the first of its kind in Canada, an adaptive radiation machine that makes the planning process faster. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)
Stacks of air conditioners, fans and other cooling equipment line the entrance of McLendon Hardware in Renton, Wash., on Sunday, July 24, 2022. British Columbia is preparing for its first heat wave of the year starting Friday, May 12 to Wednesday, May 17, 2023. (Kori Suzuki/The Seattle Times via AP)

B.C. prepares for 1st heat wave of season; increase in wildfire, flood risks

Province says its in a ‘much better place’ to deal with extreme weather after 2021 heat dome

Stacks of air conditioners, fans and other cooling equipment line the entrance of McLendon Hardware in Renton, Wash., on Sunday, July 24, 2022. British Columbia is preparing for its first heat wave of the year starting Friday, May 12 to Wednesday, May 17, 2023. (Kori Suzuki/The Seattle Times via AP)